Real Wedding Inspiration: NYC Glam in Central Park
How do real wedding couples bring their wedding ideas to life? Sometimes it comes down to a fantastic wedding planning team like one of our favorites: Vision Events. We asked them to share details, secrets and other wedding planning tips from one of their most recent events. And, without further ado, here’s the story of real wedding couple Coleen and Dan, who were recently married here in New York City. Would you just look at their photos? Could this couple be any cuter? Seriously…
How the Couple Met
These two New Yorkers met in the spring of 2011. Coleen was living in Miami, and Dan was in Miami to visit his college roommate–who was also now Coleen’s good friend. They all took a sunset sail around Miami where Coleen and Dan really connected. That fall, Coleen moved back to NY with a new job—and the couple was able to officially start dating.
The Proposal
In late August 2015, on the walk to dinner at Loeb Boathouse restaurant in Central Park, Dan detoured Colleen to the Bow Bridge, their favorite spot in the park, for a quick photo. He asked a passerby to take the picture but, instead of posing, he popped the question. Coleen was so surprised, especially when friends and family were waiting at the Boathouse to celebrate with them.
Where They Got Ready
On their wedding date of September 3, 2016, Coleen and her girls got ready at the Lotte NY Palace hotel. Dan and his guys got ready at the W New York hotel.
The Wedding Gown
The bride wore Tara Keely by Lazaro with Stuart Weitzman. She says that not only was her wedding gown comfortable, but she felt as if it was made for her.
Wedding Ceremony Details
Their ceremony took place at St. Joseph’s Church, a church in NYC’s Upper East Side neighborhood with an exquisite traditional elegance. Rev. Monsignor R. Francis Muench, a close family friend, officiated—which made it all the more special and intimate.
Wedding Reception Details
Of course Coleen and Dan chose the Boathouse for their reception! In the heart of Central Park, this venue’s setting is classic New York City, embodying the awe they feel living in such an exciting city. They lit it up with countless candles, and dahlias and greens played off the Central Park setting.
Wedding Music
Coleen and Dan believed the music would be really important, so this decision wasn’t a difficult one when they were wedding planning: They chose a high energy band they’d heard and enjoyed many times before at a favorite spot in NYC’s Upper West Side neighborhood.
Wedding Planning Tip: Logistics
Transporting the couple and guests between hotels, the church, and the venue was complicated due to some tricky Central Park driving and parking rules. Vision Events mapped it all out with balloon markers and staff to direct everyone to achieve a seamless flow (their goal was keeping attention on the celebration, not the logistics). When you’re doing your own wedding planning, it’s important to consider every transportation scenario and to take the time to create clear signage and even a plan b just in case.
Top Wedding Highlight
The whole day was whimsical, emotional, fun, and exciting but getting them into a classic NY car—the checkered cab—to soak in the full day really tied it all together.
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Wedding Details
Wedding Photographer: Meg Miller Photography
Wedding Coordinator: Vision Event Co
Wedding Florist: Cress Florist
Catering: Loeb Boathouse, Central Park
Wedding Dress Designer (and Bridal Salon): Tara Keely by Lazaro
Bride’s shoes: Stuart Weitzman
Bridesmaids Dress Designer: Dessy Collection
Groom Attire: Custom made by MySuit
Hair & Makeup: Beglammed
Music: East Side Mix
Trolley: NY Trolley Co.
Checker Cab: NY Checker Cab
About the Author
On paper, Daniela is an award winning Certified Wedding & Event Planner at Vision Event Co., she has a Bachelor’s degree from Fordham University, is an active Board Member for the the International Live Events Association (ILEA), and is an event industry speaker at Universities. Off paper, she has a serious passion for chocolate and traveling, loves to dance like no one’s watching, her glass is always half full (sometimes with an extra lemon), and speaks four languages.
